Caitlin Clark – the name that is taking the women’s basketball world by storm – once again caught the attention of experts and fans when she had a performance that overwhelmed her outstanding opponent Angel Reese in the recent match. But what made people talk was not only her achievements on the court but also Clark’s increasingly obvious influence on the future of the WNBA.

Since college, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have been placed side by side as two of the top young stars of women’s basketball. Clark – with her ability to score from all positions and her smart playing style, faced off against Reese – a strong player, dominating the basket and full of personality. Every time they met, it was a relentless battle, and the most recent match was no exception.

However, in the most recent encounter, Caitlin Clark showed her superior class. With her outside-the-box three-pointers, versatile playmaking, and consistent play, she not only helped her team win, but also made Angel Reese struggle to keep up. On social media, Clark’s highlight videos quickly went viral with titles like “Clark Show” and “Queen of the Court.”

Clark’s sublime play not only puts pressure on opponents, but also poses a major challenge for the league itself. The WNBA is facing a situation where one individual – Caitlin Clark – is attracting so much attention that other teams have to adapt or be left behind. Fans flock to the court just to see Clark play. Games with her participation are always sold out, and TV ratings skyrocket. This raises the question: Is the WNBA too dependent on a single star?

Some critics say Clark is “carrying” the entire WNBA brand, while other stars – like Angel Reese – are struggling to regain their former glory. Some argue that this is unsustainable for the overall development of the league.

Despite being overwhelmed in the last confrontation, Angel Reese is not someone who gives up easily. She was once a symbol of the power of college basketball and is still one of the brightest talents in the WNBA. Fans are waiting for a spectacular comeback from Reese – and when that happens, the confrontation between her and Caitlin Clark will certainly be even more exciting.

Caitlin Clark is truly “dominating” the WNBA playground with her unique style of play and rare charisma. But will this bring a breakthrough for the entire league or is it just a temporary halo? And how will Angel Reese – who was once Clark’s biggest rival – respond? The game is still on, and US women’s basketball has never been more dramatic.

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese rivalry has huge impact as WNBA history made

The rookie duo have drawn in huge audiences during their debut WNBA seasons.

TV viewing figures have been released for the 2024 WNBA season and the impact of the rookie rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese is clear for all to see.

Clark was the first overall pick in this year’s draft and she has enjoyed a sensational rookie season with Indiana Fever. Reese, who was picked seventh by Chicago Sky, has also impressed with an average of over 13 points and 13 rebounds per game.

The league’s two new superstars have helped WNBA viewing figures soar. The regular season averaged 1.2million viewers, which is a monumental 170-per-cent jump on last year’s figures.

The two most-watched WNBA games ever on American TV channel ABC, and the most-watched ever on ESPN2, both featured Clark’s Fever. The WNBA finals also enjoyed a significant boost in viewership from 2023.

Games three, four and five between New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx were watched by record cable audiences, as the finals on the whole averaged 1.6m viewers – a 115-per-cent increase on last year and the largest figure for a quarter of a century.

The importance of Clark and Reese, who were much-hyped in college before transferring their skills to the WNBA, is evidenced by the fact that the WNBA battle between Clark’s Fever and Reese’s Sky was the most-watched game of the entire season with 2.3m viewers.

Caitlin Clark was named the WNBA’s rookie of the year (Image: Getty)

Furthermore, the draft itself drew in 2.4m viewers, which is an extraordinary 328-per-cent increase on 2023. WNBA players have sought to build on the league’s rise in popularity by opting out of their collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the league and demanding more favourable terms.

Players’ Association president Nneka Ogwumike said: “This is a defining moment, not just for the WNBA, but for all of us who believe in progress. The world has evolved since [the CBA was reached in] 2020, and we cannot afford to stand still

If we stay in the current agreement, we fall behind. Opting out isn’t just about bigger paychecks, it’s about claiming our rightful share of the business we’ve built, improving working conditions, and securing a future where the success we create benefits today’s players and the generations to come.”

Back in July, Ogwumike said: “With this surge of attention, accessibility, visibility and, of course, investment in dollars, the most pressing thing to consider right now is how we use those dollars to continue to grow and also value the players, and seeing what that looks like in what feels like a very transformational period in our league.